World Vision Armenia

Being a child in Armenia still means your rights can be violated due to numerous structural, professional and organizational gaps in the child protection field in Armenia. Acting upon the best interests of each child living in Armenia is not still fully feasible both for state and non-state actors in the field because of non-consolidated and duplicated efforts of the stakeholders, as well as omissions and double standards in the child-protection system.

 
World Vision within the EU funded "Reducing Violence against Children in Armenia” project has led the preparation of a unique report on the execution of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child in Armenia. This is an Alternative report to the one prepared by the Government of Armenia, and it is prepared by the joint efforts of local and international non-governmental organizations to discuss those areas of child protection where significant work for improvement is required.

During the recent conference in Armenia, the World Vision presented the Report to the stakeholders and media, thus ensuring follow up on the recommendations in social, educational and health sectors, as well as raising public’ awareness on the existing issues.

Revision and improvement of the Armenian legislation to harmonize with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, promotion of child birth registration, insertion of better alternative daycare options for the children deprived of family environment and continuous deinstitutionalization of the state-funded care institutions, early detection of disability in Armenia, as well as proper care and referral to rehabilitation centers and inclusion to mainstream education system for children with disabilities – all these and much more were the burning issues reported on the alternative document. (You can find the report here)

On the scope of all these issues identified, the conference, as an extended Child Protection National Commission session, also invited all the stakeholders to discuss the draft  National Child Protection Strategy for 2012-2016 by ensuring a dialogue platform between the Government and civil society on various topical issues.  

"It is premature to state that child rights are fully protected in Armenia. Reducing child abuse and promoting responsibility of respect for their rights are one of the priorities for World Vision. I hope that discussions on the New Draft Strategy as well as the input from NGOs in this process will contribute to the effective protection of child rights and legal interests in the country”, says Ms. Anahit Grigoryan, the World Vision Armenia Programme Manager.